Tuesday, January 11, 2011

10 Frugal Tips for the Single Parent

Raising a family as a single parent can be tough. Between keeping the bills paid and spending quality time with your family, it can be very difficult to incorporate frugal living into your hectic lifestyle. From using coupons to purchasing healthy foods, there are many excellent frugal tips for the single parent to follow.

Don’t be afraid to use coupons. A coupon can be classified as free money. Not only will using coupons help you save money, but they’ll also help keep your next shopping trip productive and organized.

Buy generic brand products. Purchasing generic brand products will allow you to save a great deal of money. Generic brand products are usually cheaper than name brand products and are usually just as great, if not better, than name brand products.

Eat leftovers. Cooking a meal every day for your family can be a tiring and stressful task to accomplish, especially if you’re a single parent. Opting in on cooking one huge meal and then eating the leftovers for days on end is an excellent way to incorporate the frugal way of living into your lifestyle.

Purchase healthier foods. Feeding your family fresher, healthier meals is a task all parents want to accomplish. It’s a common fact that junk foods are priced higher than most health foods. Not only will purchasing healthy foods whip your family into shape, but you’ll also end up saving money in the long run.

Buy used. Whether you’re intent on purchasing a vehicle or clothes, opt in on buying the product used, if possible. Thrift stores and yard sales are excellent places to find used products for a great price. Purchasing products used is a surefire way to save money as a single parent.

Buy products in bulk. Purchasing products in bulk, like toilet paper and certain food products, is an excellent frugal living tip for the single parent. Not only will you save money by buying in bulk, but you’ll also end up saving your precious time and energy by not having to go shopping every week.

Take your family along on your next shopping trip. While not feasible for all single parent families, taking your kids along on your next shopping trip is a frugal way to teach your family the value of the almighty dollar.

Bypass the barber and cut your own hair. Going to the barber costs money. Cutting your own hair, as well as your children’s hair, is an excellent way to save a bit of money.

Visit the park. Parks serve as a great place to entertain your children. Not only are parks great for entertaining, they also serve as a free place to exercise.

Don’t be shy, ask for the specials. As a single parent, money will definitely be tight. Asking for the specials, whether you’re at a restaurant or your local grocery store, is an excellent way to save money and live the frugal life.

No comments: